Previous |
Next |
October 18, 2007, 07:07 AM ET
The Dalai Lama, in the Dark at Emory U.
The Dalai Lama might be in public spotlight at the moment, with his recent visit to Washington, where he received the Congressional Gold Medal. If all goes as planned, after he arrives at Emory University on Friday, he might find himself in almost complete darkness.
Emory is organizing a “lights out” event to honor the spiritual leader and promote energy efficiency on the campus. Many buildings will shut off most lights for a half hour on Friday night. The Dalai Lama is visiting Emory to deliver his inaugural address as the university’s Presidential Distinguished Professor.
The success of the lights-out event will depend on the participation of students and faculty members, who have been asked to turn out lights in their offices and residence halls.
“It’s a collective act of mindfulness, where we are all pausing and dimming down, and collectively making a statement that our impact on the environment matters,” said Ciannat Howett, the university’s sustainability director.
She said the event would involve “unplugging physically and metaphysically.” The university is organizing a walking meditation on the quadrangle during that half hour.
Of course, not all the power on the campus will go out. The university’s hospital will continue to run, and lights needed for campus safety will stay on.
The university, which has a goal of reducing energy consumption by 25 percent by 2015, will monitor its power use before, during, and after the lights-out event.
“At the very least, I think it’s going to be a great consciousness-raising exercise,” Ms. Howett said.
Add Your Comment
Commenting is closed.